Published: Tuesday, September 10, 2013 at 4:05 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, September 10, 2013 at 4:05 p.m.

Live oaks, with their windswept, sturdy limbs dripping with Spanish moss, are looming reminders of Wilmington's history.

Facts

Live Oak/Quercus virginiana

Grows up to 80 feet tall and up to 100 feet wideTrunk can be more than six feet in diameterWaxy leaves are not damaged by salt spray Stands erect in the forest. In the open, its branches arch to the ground to form a rounded canopyOak trees can live several hundred yearsSource: Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service

The city's tree commission wants to honor the live oak above all the rest by lauding it as Wilmington's official tree.

The symbolic naming aligns with the mission of the board to educate people about the value of trees, said Chairman Bill Jayne.

"One of the ways you do that is to point out notable trees in the environment," Jayne said. "The live oak is in many ways emblematic of southern cities, especially southern coastal cities."

Live oaks, which flourish throughout the area, were the city's official tree of the year in 2012. Perhaps the oldest is the famed Airlie Oak, which has been standing for more than 450 years in what is now Airlie Gardens.

Live oaks are hardy trees that resist infection. Trees that have been damaged, such as some on Market Street that have been struck by vehicles, close up around the wound, Jayne said.

He said everyone assumes the live oak is the city's tree. "But as far as we can tell, that was never formally done," he added.

Councilman Kevin O'Grady prepared a proclamation that would so name the live oak as the city tree. The city council is expected to vote on it later this year.

The proclamation touts recent or planned plantings of live oaks. Since 2012, about 80 live oaks have been planted along Fifth Avenue by the city, the commission and Residents of Old Wilmington.

The city also has plans to reforest the tree canopy along Market Street between 17th and 21st streets using live oaks.

North Carolina's official tree is the pine, not to be confused with our official flower, which would be the dogwood. Venus' flytraps, which only grow naturally within 60 to 90 miles of Wilmington, are the state carnivorous plant.

<p>Live oaks, with their windswept, sturdy limbs dripping with Spanish moss, are looming reminders of Wilmington's history.</p><p>The city's tree commission wants to honor the live oak above all the rest by lauding it as Wilmington's official tree.</p><p>The symbolic naming aligns with the mission of the board to educate people about the value of trees, said Chairman Bill Jayne.</p><p>"One of the ways you do that is to point out notable trees in the environment," Jayne said. "The live oak is in many ways emblematic of southern cities, especially southern coastal cities."</p><p>Live oaks, which flourish throughout the area, were the city's official tree of the year in 2012. Perhaps the oldest is the famed Airlie Oak, which has been standing for more than 450 years in what is now <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic04"><b>Airlie Gardens</b></a>.</p><p>Live oaks are hardy trees that resist infection. Trees that have been damaged, such as some on Market Street that have been struck by vehicles, close up around the wound, Jayne said.</p><p>He said everyone assumes the live oak is the city's tree. "But as far as we can tell, that was never formally done," he added.</p><p>Councilman <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic77"><b>Kevin O'Grady</b></a> prepared a proclamation that would so name the live oak as the city tree. The city council is expected to vote on it later this year.</p><p>The proclamation touts recent or planned plantings of live oaks. Since 2012, about 80 live oaks have been planted along Fifth Avenue by the city, the commission and Residents of Old Wilmington. </p><p>The city also has plans to reforest the tree canopy along Market Street between 17th and 21st streets using live oaks.</p><p>North Carolina's official tree is the pine, not to be confused with our official flower, which would be the dogwood. Venus' flytraps, which only grow naturally within 60 to 90 miles of Wilmington, are the state carnivorous plant.</p><p><i></p><p>Julian March: 343-2099</p><p>On <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/news41"><b>Twitter</b></a>: @julian_march</i></p>